Nice straight on view of Major Charles W. Sawyer in a typical Napoleonic pose. He wears a dark double-breasted frock coat with major’s shoulder straps.

Image is clear but has a definite sepia tone to it. Contrast is very good. Mount has corners that have been slightly clipped.

Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for F. L. LAY’S…BOSTON. There is also collector information in pencil as well as a light modern pencil inscription at top of “CHARLES SAWYER 4^TH N.H.V.” ID is confirmed by other on-line images.

The roster of the 4^th New Hampshire gives a succinct biography as follows:

“Charles W. Sawyer was the son of the Hon. Thomas E. Sawyer, and was born in Dover, N. H., May 19, 1832. He was educated in the public schools of his native city and early in life was for a time editor of a temperance journal. At the outbreak of the war he resided in Boston, where he was employed as clerk in the post office. He had served on the school board and been a member of the General Court. April 30, 1861, he was offered the first lieutenancy of Co. B, First New Hampshire Regiment, which he accepted, serving till the regiment's time expired.

He was instrumental in raising Co. A, 4th New Hampshire, and was appointed captain, and was made the ranking captain of the regiment. Very often while in the department of the South, he was detailed as judge advocate of the military department and was offered a permanent position as such with rank of major, which he declined, preferring to follow the fortunes of his comrades of the Fourth Regiment. During the many months when we were without a chaplain, Captain Sawyer acted as such at the funerals of our deceased comrades, reading the Episcopal burial service, so that the dead might have a Christian burial.

On the first of December, 1863, he was promoted to major of the regiment and performed the duties of the position until his fatal wound, which occurred May 16, 1864, at Drury's Bluff, Va., where he was wounded in the right shoulder. He was removed to the hospital at Fort Monroe, Va., afterwards to Concord, New Hampshire, where he died of his wounds, June 22, 1864, a brave soldier and beloved officer. As a mark of honor, General Butler named one of the forts on the James River Fort Sawyer, as recognition of his faithful and devoted services in the field."

Major Sawyer is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Dover, New Hampshire.  [ad]

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